Santa Cruz County Local Health News Articles and Digest

Environment Health State of California

California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

04/17/2024
Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

From California Healthline...

Health

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital

04/16/2024
Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.

From The Pajaronian...

Health Elections & Politics

With Measure N Official, Hospital Officials Looking to Future

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled With Measure N Official, Hospital Officials Looking to Future

After months of work promoting Measure N—efforts that included going door to door in the vast Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD)—officials can now begin to envision how they will use the $116 million to improve Watsonville Community Hospital.

From Good Times...

Public Safety Health

Everyone Should Be Safe

04/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Everyone Should Be Safe

The UCSC Campus Mobile Crisis Team is the first of its kind on a University of California campus. The CMCT provides an empathetic, non-police response to emergency calls regarding mental health crises on campus.

From EdSource...

Health Seniors Crisis & Personal Support

We Must Take Better Care of Our Home-Based Child Care Providers

04/09/2024
These professionals provide essential services, but their pay and working conditions do not reflect their value, and their health suffers.

From Times Publishing Group...

Health Community Service & Support Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley Awarded Grant

04/07/2024
Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley was awarded a $2M by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health County of Santa Cruz

Measure N Passes and is Certified

04/03/2024
The official vote count for Measure N in support of Watsonville Community Hospital passed and was certified on April 4 by the Santa Cruz and Monterey county elections departments.

From Lookout Local...

Health Homelessness Land Use & Development Housing

Proposition 1 Passed. Now What?

04/02/2024
The passage of California Proposition 1 is leaving local mental health and homeless service providers with questions as to the impact in the count.

From California Healthline...

Health Government

Your Doctor or Your Insurer? Little-Known Rules May Ease the Choice in Medicare Advantage

03/28/2024
Disputes between insurers and providers can lead to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving the plans.

From EdSource...

Families & Children Health Government

Homeless Infants and Toddlers Largely Unenrolled in Early Ed Programs

03/28/2024
Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

From CalMatters...

Education Health

California’s Disabled Students Left Behind During Emergencies: ‘They Just Weren’t Ready for Someone Like Me’

03/27/2024
After bringing his story all the way to the University of California Board of Regents, a disabled UC Berkeley student has prompted the UC to ensure emergency evacuation chairs are in every multi-storied building in the 10-university system.

From KFF Health News...

Health Elections & Politics

At Stake in Mifepristone Case: Abortion, FDA’s Authority, and Return to 1873 Obscenity Law

03/25/2024
Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health

2024 Health Rankings and Roadmaps Report Ranks Santa Cruz

03/21/2024
Local reaction to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's "Health Rankings and Roadmaps" 2024 ranking for Santa Cruz County.

From Times Publishing Group...

Families & Children Health Crisis & Personal Support County of Santa Cruz

Live Oak Children’s Crisis Center Construction Begins

03/12/2024
The County of Santa Cruz is remodeling the two story office building at 5300 Soquel Avenue in Live Oak with conference rooms, family spaces and other amenities for youth in crisis and expand the Health Services Agency’s substance use disorder and mental health services.

From California Healthline...

Health

California Attorney General Boosts Bill Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports

03/10/2024
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that he is throwing his weight behind legislation to bar medical debt from showing up on consumer credit reports, a Democratic-led effort to offer protection to patients squeezed by health care bills.

From The Pajaronian...

Health Elections & Politics

Election Update March 8: Measure N Holding Steady

03/08/2024
Image for display with article titled Election Update March 8: Measure N Holding Steady

Watsonville’s Measure N is holding steady at 68.5% of the vote, just over the 66.6% majority needed to pass.

From Los Angeles Times...

Health Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

San Francisco Voters Pass Police & Drug Ballot Measures

03/08/2024
Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety Health Crisis & Personal Support

Santa Cruz County Makes Plans for Opioid Settlement Funds

03/08/2024
Santa Cruz County officials are making plans for the millions of dollars allotted to the county as part of the settlement of various lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors in 2019 and 2021.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health Land Use & Development

Santa Cruz Planning Commission Approves Contested Dispensary

03/08/2024
The cannabis dispensary specializes in providing medical marijuana to patients with serious diseases and will be allowed to do business in the city of Santa Cruz after the Planning Commission approved its application.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Health Crime & Justice

Study Finds Almost 50% of San Francisco Drug Users Not Residents

03/01/2024
A report of a 12 month study which ended in February indicates almost half of those cited for drug usage were not residents of the city, leading to questions about city approaches to drug addiction.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Health